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FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University softball coach Stacey Vallee has announced the signing of catcher Krissy Longstreet of Pinellas Park, Fla., and first baseman Carly Madigan of King, N.C., during the recent early signing period. Both high school seniors will enroll at FMU in 2011 and play for the Patriots in 2012.

Longstreet, 5-6, attends Canterbury School of Florida, where she plays under the direction of head coach Jody Moore.

As a junior, she batted .463 with 10 doubles, five triples, five home runs, and 39 runs batted in. She also compiled a slugging percentage of .820 and was 10-5 on the pitching mound as the Lady Crusaders reached the final four for the third consecutive season.

She was a first-team All-State selection in 2010 and 2009, a first-team All-County pick three times (2007-09), and an honorable mention All-Sun Coast choice in both 2008 and 2009. She was named the All-State Class 1A Defensive Most Valuable Player for both 2009 and 2010, and was her school’s Female Athlete of the Year for 2009-10.

On the mound, she holds the school record for strikeouts with 181. She was 10-4 as a sophomore when Canterbury was 22-7 and finished as the state runners-up.

A multi-sport prep athlete, she also plays basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

Madigan, 5-9, attends West Stokes High School and plays for head coach Ric McHone.

This past season, she hit .304 with nine RBIs and garnered All-District and All-Conference recognition for the second straight year. She also sported a .402 on-base percentage while helping the Wildcats to a 17-7 record.

A three-year letterwinner, she has helped lead West Stokes to three state tournament appearances, including two trips to the final four. As a sophomore, she batted .355 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. In 2008, she earned North State Tournament MVP honors as a freshman.

Vallee commented, “Both of these young ladies were chosen for several reasons, including their great softball skills, abilities in the classroom, and personalities – which include passionate, hard-working and overall good traits. We are very excited to have them join the Patriot softball family, and can’t wait to see what they can do on the field next fall.

“Krissy is a strong young lady that will bring a consistent and powerful bat. We expect her to be able to contribute very quickly. Behind the plate, she has a very good pop time (delivery from home plate to second base) and a strong arm. She is not afraid to talk and be a leader on the field. This is what I like in a catcher, especially if they can come in and do it right away as a freshman. She brings with her a wealth of softball skills and also a classroom set that will compare to the girls in our program right now.

“Carly is a young lady that I have been watching for a few years. She has grown into a very strong and capable player. She works hard and it shows. She is very impressive at first base, but also plays a variety of other positions and has told me that she is willing to do whatever it takes to earn a starting position and represent FMU the best she can! She will be expected to come in and produce with her bat as well as defensively. She has the build and background to be a very potent hitter for FMU in the future.”

Francis Marion ended its 2010 season with a 36-16 record and earned the program’s second NCAA Division II National Tournament invitation in three seasons. The Patriots advanced to the championship game of both the Peach Belt Conference Tournament and the NCAA Dahlonega Southeast Regional.

FMU will open its 2011 campaign on Feb. 5-6 at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken, S.C.